For players who aren’t seasoned in ARPGs, Last Epoch may initially seem overwhelming. Even for those with ample experience, navigating the game’s Class and Masteries systems can be quite intricate.

However, all necessary information is readily available in-game. Players simply need to know where to find it. To ease the chaos of the first few hours of Last Epoch, let’s explore some of the mistakes we newbie players make early in the game and how to avoid them.

1. Examining Every Single Item You Acquire 

Engaging in this practice will significantly prolong your journey through the game.

To begin with, Last Epoch inundates players with an exceptionally high volume of drops. While this is a common occurrence in ARPGs like Diablo, Path of Exile, and to some extent, Lost Ark, Last Epoch seems to take it to another level entirely.

Players will frequently encounter new white, blue, yellow, or even unique items while traversing a single map in this game. Not only does this quickly fill their inventory, but it also becomes overwhelming. 

Therefore, the first recommended tip is not to fret too much about examining each individual item. Many of them will soon be surpassed as players level up and progress through the story. 

Moreover, these items seldom fetch more than a few Last Epoch Gold when sold, so it’s advisable not to pause every few seconds to scrutinize the stats of every new weapon or armor piece that drops.

2. Overlooking The Loot Filter Feature

Expanding on the topic of gear management in Last Epoch, one of the most valuable early-game recommendations is to not overlook the Loot Filter feature. 

While configuring a Loot Filter might appear to be an excessive optimization for players with limited experience in MMORPGs or ARPGs, it’s practically indispensable in Last Epoch. Fortunately, setting it up is straightforward, and players can even utilize online resources to download and import custom Loot Filters into the game.

At the very least, it’s advisable to configure a Loot Filter that hides white-rarity equipment (and perhaps blue-rarity items as well). This simple adjustment can prevent players from succumbing to the temptation of inspecting every white or blue item on the ground, under the false impression that it may offer valuable benefits, such as a slight increase in Minion Health.

3. Neglecting The Forge & Crafting Mechanics

This next misconception is a common one among Last Epoch players, and it’s completely understandable. 

Crafting in MMORPGs and ARPGs is often associated with the late-game and can be quite perplexing initially (depending on the game). Consequently, many players instinctively overlook the Forge, Crafting, and Affix systems, assuming it’s best to save them for the end-game or maximum level.

Fortunately, Crafting in Last Epoch is straightforward (be sure to review the Forge section in the Game Guide) and is something players should fully embrace while leveling up. While much of the excitement in these games typically unfolds after reaching max level, there’s no reason players can’t enjoy the journey from level 1 to 100 by engaging with the Crafting systems along the way.

4. Disregarding Runes Of Shattering At The Hub Vendor

Runes of Shattering are another aspect of Last Epoch that often eludes players who are unfamiliar with these types of games or haven’t researched the game beforehand. 

Essentially, after purchasing these Runes, players can insert them into Equipment currently in the Forge and dismantle the Affixes on that item into a random number of Shards corresponding to those Affixes. These enhance the value of hoarding gear during the early stages.

While it’s not necessarily essential during the early to mid-game (prior to acquiring Class Mastery), there’s no harm in doing so for players who know which Affixes they’re aiming for in the late game. 

Admittedly, it’s more efficient to save them for use on late-game gear to obtain higher Tier Affix Shards or to use a Rune of Discovery to fill empty Affix slots before using a Rune of Shattering. However, players won’t face significant drawbacks by utilizing these Runes according to their preference.

5. Spending On The Gambler

One of the initial NPC Merchants players encounter in Last Epoch is the Gambler, and engaging with this merchant can be risky. 

The Gambler offers players the opportunity to spend gold on purchasing weapons, armor, accessories, and other items that come with random affixes applied to them upon purchase, essentially allowing players to use gold to ‘roll’ for items.

While there’s no way to entirely dissuade players from using this feature, it’s strongly advised to allocate funds elsewhere, such as investing in Runes of Shattering. Given that Last Epoch is an ARPG and enemies drop items abundantly, players can utilize filters to focus solely on the gear they desire. Therefore, squandering gold on the Gambler often proves to be a futile expenditure of time and resources.

6. Ignoring Side Quests & Their Rewards 

Side quests play a crucial role in Last Epoch for several reasons. Not only do they facilitate the leveling process, enriching the maps with additional tasks and introducing players to various characters and concepts within the game world, but they also offer valuable rewards, such as Passive Points and Idol Slots.

Skipping sde quests means missing out on approximately 15 Passive Points, as well as restricting access to the game’s Idol System due to the absence of Slots. Therefore, it’s advisable for players to consult the Quest Tracker (accessible via the 'J' key on PC by default) or the Quests on the World Map to identify currently assigned side quests and their associated rewards. 

By doing so, players can prioritize completing side quests that offer Passive Point or Idol Slot rewards, while postponing or saving purely EXP-based side quests for later stages or after completing more significant objectives.

7. Forgetting To Utilize ‘Alt’ For Additional Information & Reading Scaling Tags

Lastly, although Last Epoch can feel overwhelming with its abundance of information, the game itself provides several tools to ease the learning curve. 

These systems are not only plentiful but also well-crafted. Players can access the Game Guide from the Escape Menu, which contains detailed entries on every mechanic within the game. 

Additionally, by holding the ‘Alt’ key while examining various elements, players can access additional information highlighted in blue text. This feature allows players to discern whether a Skill Modifier alters the damage type (and consequently its scaling), understand specific debuffs, and more. Utilizing these resources whenever the game feels overwhelming can greatly assist players in understanding its complexities.